On all occasions, they set up the fleet in opposition to the army, and celebrated the glory and successes of their naval armaments.

They insisted on the intolerable expense to which the nation was subjected, and urged the necessity of diminishing it by a reduction of the land forces.

They had ordered some regiments to serve on board the fleet in the quality of marines.

And Cromwell, by the whole train of their proceedings, evidently saw that they had entertained a jealousy of his power and ambition, and were resolved to bring him to a subordination under their authority.

Without scruple or delay, he resolved to prevent them.
On such firm foundations was built the credit of this extraordinary man, that though a great master of fraud and dissimulation, he judged it superfluous to employ any disguise in conducting this bold enterprise.
He summoned a general council of officers; and immediately found, that they were disposed to receive whatever impressions he was pleased to give them.